JFK and Mitt: The media’s double standard on faith

MR says: This opinion piece documents how in 1960, major media outlets refused to tolerate religious bigotry, characterizing it as “bilge.” But in 2012, says the author, media outlets have given opponents of Mormonism a platform to engaged in anti-Mormon bigotry.

During the 1960 presidential campaign, Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy was attacked for his Catholic faith, then viewed by many as subversive and un-American. Anti-Mormon bigots are now targeting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney for his Mormon beliefs, which are now viewed by many “progressives” as a “transparent and recent fraud.” But in those 50 years, the role of the media has changed significantly.

A June 2012 study performed by American National Election Studies (ANES) found that 43 percent of liberals would be “less likely” to vote for a Mormon candidate for religious reasons. An essential point, given how often news outlets highlight Romney’s religion.